Water propulsion apparatus



Feb. 25, 1964 w. JENKINS WATER PROPULSION APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1963 INVENTOR GEORGE W. JENKINS BY FULWIDER PATTON RIEBER LEE 8, UTECHT AT TOR NEYS United States Patent 3,122,122 WATER PR-QPULSEON APPARATUS George W. Jenkins, 1135 E. 32nd St., Long Beach 7, Calif. Filed Apr. 19, 1953, 521'. No. 274,175 8 (Ziaims. (Cl. 1153-3) The present invention relates to watercraft propulsion apparatus and more particularly to watercraft propulsion apparatus incorporating a plurality of louver blades which are positively movable between closed positions and open positions for propulsion of the Water craft through the water and for reduction of Water drag, respectively.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft propulsion apparatus which, like the usual oars, is manually operable, but which is much more efiicient due to the utilization of a plurality of louvers to provide a relatively large thrust area.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character wherein the louvers are positively moved to closed positions for propelling the watercraft through the water, and which are also positively movable to open positions during their return stroke. Heretofore, the utilization of louver structures for propulsion has been characterized by free-floating louvers which are moved between their open and closed positions by reaction with the water. More particularly, such prior art louvers were hinged so that movement of their mounting structure in one direction caused impingement by the water at an angle effective to tip the louvers to their closed positions, and movement in the opposite direction caused impingement by the water at an angle effective to tip the louvers to their open positions. Obviously, undesirable water drag is necessarily occasioned by the initial movement of the louvers to their open and their closed positions. According to the present invention, the operating handle for moving the louver supporting structure includes means which we simultaneously operable to positively move the louvers to their open and closed positions so that the louvers are at all times oriented for most efficient propulsion of the watercraft.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus o the aforementioned character which is adapted for utilization with a variety of types of watercraft, including flat boats, dinghies, surfboards, and the like, and which is particularly adapted for retraction within a downwardly open compartment in the underside of the watercraft to provide a recessed housing thereof. This arrangement permits the apparatus to be completely stowed, and enables the apparatus to be quickly moved to a protective position for benching or clearing submerged objects.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned character in which the louver assembly is coupled to an operating handle through a reversing means, such as a pair of meshing gears, whereby the louver assembly moves in the same direction as the pivotal movement of the operating handle. With this arrangement the operator is enabled to face forwardly, in the direction of propulsion, while pulling rearwardly upon the operating handle.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a watercraft propulsion apparatus according to the present invention, illustrated in association with a watercraft, portions of which are cut away for clarit;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged veiw taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view substantially identical to FIG. 2,

"ice

H but illustrating the louver assembly moving through a propulsion stroke; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a water propulsion apparatus 10 mounted to a watercraft 12 which, in the present embodiment, is a flatboat type having a deck 14, an underside 16, a pair of sides 18, a pair of ends 2%, and a plurality of partitions 22, 24 and 26 which divide the hollow interior of the watercraft 12 into a plurality of water-tight compartments 28. In addition, the underside 16 of the watercraft 12 is cut away to provide a downwardly open recess or compartment 3% between the partitions 24 and 26.

The apparatus 19 includes a louver blade assembly 32 pivotally mounted adjacent the watercraft underside 16 and movable by a pair of elongated tubular operating handles 34 and 36 between an extended position substantially normal to the underside 16, as illustrated in EEG. l, and a retracted position within the compartment 3% substantially parallel to the underside 16, as illustrated in phantom outline in FIG. 1.

The louver blade assembly 32 includes a frame constituted by a pair of elongated, tubular side members 33 and an elongated tubular end member l9 connected at its opposite extremities to the adjacent, spaced-apart lower extremities of the side members 38. The upper extremities of the side members 33 are rigidly secured to a transverse louver shaft 4-2 whose opposite extremities are rotatably supported in a pair of spaced-apart pillow or hearing blocks 44 rigidly secured to the undersurface of a transversely disposed plate or mount 46. The mount is is rigidly secured to the adjacent partition 24 by any suitable means (not shown) to thereby rigidly anchor the mount 46 in position upon the watercraft 12.

A plurality of thin, horizontally oriented, parallel and superposed louver blades 48 are pivotally mounted between the side members 38 of the blade assembly 32 by a plurality of support pins 59 disposed through the side members 38 and through end flanges 52 integral with the ends of each louver blade 48.

The end flanges 52 each includes an upwardly and rearwardly extending mounting tab 54 which is rotatable upon a support pin 56 disposed through an adjacent one of a pair of elongated, vertically extending, and transversely spaced-apart elements 58 which are rigidly connected together at their upper extremities by a transverse rod 69 and constitute a connecting means for operating the louver blades 48 in unison. That is, vertical reciprocation of one or both of the elements 58, as by movement of the rod 60, effects common pivotal movement of all of the louver blades 48 about the pins 56. In the present embodiment both of the elements 58 are moved by the rod to thereby provide a balanced action upon the louver blades 43 and substantially eliminate differential flexing thereof.

The lower extremity of the operating handle 36 is disposed through a suitable opening in the deck 14 and is rigidly secured to one extremity of a transversely extending operating shaft 62 rotatably supported adjacent its opposite extremities by a pair of pillow or hearing blocks 64 which are rigidly secured to the upper surface of the mount 46. The lower extremity of the operating handle 34 is likewise disposed through a suitable opening in the deck 14 and is rigidly secured to a gear 66 which is rigidly secured to the adjacent extremity of the operating shaft 62.

The gear 66 meshes with a smaller pinion gear 68 which is rigidly secured to the adjacent extremity of the louver shaft 42 so that pivotal movement of the operating handles 34 and 36 in one direction is effective to pivot the louver blade assembly 32 in the same direction. That a full 90 degree are of travel by movement of the handles 34 and 36 through a lesser arc.

Means are provided which. are coupled between the handle 34 and the rod 69 for pivoting the plurality of louver blades 48 simultaneously with pivotal movement of the handles 34 and 36. This means is preferably constituted by a pair of tubular sleeve grips 7i and 72 which are longitudinally slidably mounted upon the handles 34 and 36, respectively, and rigidly connected together by a handle bar 74. The sleeve grip 76 is connected to one extremity of a flexible cable 76 whose opposite extremity is connected to the rod 6%. The cable 76 is slidably disposed within a flexible sleeve 78 fixed at one extremity to the handle 34, as at St? and 82, and fixed at its opposite extremity to a crank arm 84 rigidly secured to the louver shaft 42.

With this arrangement, the sleeve grips 7 and 72 may be grasped and moved longitudinally along the operating handles 34 and 36 simultaneously with pivotal movement of the handles 34 and 36 to thereby positively move the louver blades 48 in unison between their open and closed positions. Thus, to propel the watercraft 12 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1, the handles 34 and 36 are pivoted rearwardly and the sleeve grips 70 and 72 pushed downwardly. This has the effect of moving the louver blades 48 from the open positions illustrated in FIG. 2

to the closed positions illustrated in FIG. 3 to propel the watercraft 12 to the left or forwardly through the water. Likewise, upon pivotal movement of the handles 34 and 36 in a forward direction, the operator slides the sleeve grips 70 and 72 upwardly to move the louver blades 43 to the open positions illustrated in FIG. 2 to thereby re duce water drag upon the louver blades 48 during the return stroke of the assembly 32.

Since the louver blades 48 are positively moved by the operator between their open positions and closed positions, without utilization of the forces of water impingement, it will be apparent that the louver blades 48 are constantly deployed in the most efficient manner for deriving maximum benefit from the stroking action of the handles 34 and 36.

It has been found convenient to lock the louver blade assembly 32 in its recessed, substantially flush position within the compartment 30 during storage or transportation of the watercraft 12, and for this purpose an angle bracket 86 is secured to the partition 26 and provided with a detent (not shown) which is adapted to receive the plunger (not shown) of a manually actuable locking device 88 carried by the end member 40 of the louver blade assembly 32.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that there has been provided a water propulsion apparatus which is adapted to be inexpensively associated With a watercraft and which is characterized by a relatively large area of thrust provided by the plurality of louvers to thereby enable more efi'icient utilization of the operators stroking movements. Moreover, the slidable sleeve grips 70 and 72 utilized in conjunction with the pivotable operating handles 34 and 36 enable the operator to simultaneously move the louver blades 48 into open positions or'closed positions, regardless of the direction of pivotal movement of the handles 34 and 36 so that the watercraft 14 may be propelled in either direction.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim: 1. Watercraft propulsion apparatus adapted to be mount ed to a watercraft and comprising:

a louver blade assembly adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent the underside of the watercraft and including a plurality of louver blades and an element connected thereto for operating said louver blades in unison;

an operating handle coupled to said assembly and operable to pivot saidlassembly between an extended position and a retracted position;

and means coupled to said handle and said element and operable during operation of said handle to positively move said louver blades to closed positions for propelling the watercraft through the water, and operable during operation of said handle to positively move said louver blades to open positions to minimize water drag upon said louver blades.

2. Watercraft propulsion apparatus adapted to be mount ed to a Watercraft and comprising:

a louver blade assembly adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent the underside of the Watercraft and including a plurality of louver blades and an element connected thereto for operating said louver blades in unison;

a pivotable operating handle;

means coupling said handle and said assembly and op- 00 erative to reverse the direction of pivotal movement of said assembly responsive to pivotal movement of said handle, said handle being operable to pivot said assembly between an extended position and a retracted position;

and means coupled to said handle and said element and operable during operation of said handle to positively move said louver blades to closed positions for propelling the watercraft through the water, and

operable during operation of said handle to positively move said louver blades to open positions to minimize water drag upon said louver blades. 3. Watercraft propulsion apparatus adapted to be mounted to a watercraft and comprising:

a louver blade assembly adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent the underside of the watercraft and including a plurality of louver blades and an element connected thereto for operating said louver blades in unison; an elongated operating handle coupled to said assembly and operable to pivot said assembly between an extended position and a retracted position; a grip longitudinally slidable upon said handle; and means coupling said grip and said element whereby during operation of said handle said louver blades are positivel moved to closed positions upon slidable movement of said grip in one direction to propel the watercraft through the water, and positively moved to open positions upon slidable movement of said grip in the opposite direction to minimize water drag upon said louver blades. 4. Watercraft propulsion apparatus adapted to be mounted to a watercraft and comprising:

a frame adapted to be pivotally mounted adjacent the underside of the watercraft; a plurality of superposed, parallel, and horizontally oriented louver blades pivotally carried by said frame; an element connected to said louver blades for operating said louver blades in unison; an operating handle coupled to said frame and operable to pivot said frame between an extended position and a retracted position; and means coupled to said handle and said element and operable during operation of said handle to positively move said louver blades to closed positions as sion apparatus comprising:

a mount secured to said watercraft;

an elongated operating handle coupled to said assembly, pivotally mounted to said mount, and extending upwardly from said watercraft for operation by an occupant thereof to pivot said assembly between an extended position substantially normal to the underside of said water craft and a retracted position substantially parallel to said underside;

a sleeve grip longitudinally slidably mounted upon said handle and adapted to be grasped for pivotally mova louver blade assembly mounted to said mount for ing Sa han e simultaneously with slidable movepivotal movement adjacent the underside of said mfillt 0f Said Sleeve; watercraft and including a plurality of louver blades a flexible sleeve extending between said handle and and connecting means coupled thereto for operating said assembly and fixed in position along at least a said louver blades in unison; portion of its length;

an elongated operating handle coupled to said assemand a flexible cable slidably disposed in said flexible bly, pivotally mounted to said mount, and extending sleeve and coupled to said handle and said connectupwardly from said Watercraft for operation by an ing means and operable by slidabile movement of occupant thereof to pivot said assembly between an said sleeve grip in one direction to positively move extended position substantially normal to the under- Said louver blades to closed positions, and operable side of said watercraft and a retracted position sub- 2 y Slideable movement 0f Said Sleeve g ip in the stantially parallel to said underside; and means coupled to said handle and said connecting other direction to positively move said louver blades to open positions.

8. In combination with a watercraft having a downwardly open compartment in the underside thereof, retractable watercraft propulsion apparatus comprising:

a mount secured to said watercraft;

a louver blade assembly mounted to said mount for means and operable during operation of said handle to positively move said louver blades to closed positions for propelling the watercraft through the water, and operable during operation of said handle to positively move said louver blades to open positions to minimize water drag upon said louver blades. 6. In combination with a Watercraft, watercraft propulpivotal movement adjacent the underside of said watercraft and including a plurality of louver blades sion apparatus comprising: and connecting means coupled thereto for operating a mount secured to said watercraft; aid louver blades in unison;

a louver blade assembly mounted to aid mo nt for an elongated operating handle coupled to said assempivotal movement adjacent the underside of said y, pivotally mounted to Said mount, and fiXtel'lding watercraft and including a plurality of louver blades p y for Operation y an Occupant thereof to and connecting means coupled thereto for operating Pivot Said assembly betWefiIl an extendfid Position said louver blades in unison; substantially normal to the underside of said wateran elongated operating handle pivotally mounted to craft and a retracted Position in the p c0111- said mount and extending upwardly from said t partment of said watercraft substantly flush with the craft for operation by an occupant thereof to piv underside thereof for clearing submerged obstacles; said assembly between an extended position substan- 40 and means coupled to said handle and said connecting tially normal to the underside of said watercraft and means and Operable during Operation of Said handle a retracted position substantially parallel to said un- Positively move Said louver blades to closid P derside; tions for propelling the water craft through the a pair of mating gears on said handle and said assem- Water, and Pf during Operation of Said bly for reversing the direction of pivotal movement handle to posltlvfily f 531d louver blades of said assembly responsive to pivotal movement of p Posifio11S to millimlze Water drag uP011 Sald said handle; louver blades.

and means g g P s? fii g i References Cited in the file of this patent means opera e unng opera 10H 0 S81 an e 0 mi H positively move said louver blades to closed positions UNHED STAiES PATENTS for propelling the watercraft through the water, and 131,118 Richards Sept. 3, 1872 operable during operation of said handle to positive- 233,209 Coulter Oct. 12, 1880 1y move said louver blades to open positions to mini- 2 ,031 Page May 24, 1881 mize water drag upon said louver blades. 655,742 Sheen Aug. 14, 1900 7. In combination with a watercraft, watercraft pro- 888,053 Ahlbrecht May 19, 1908 pulsion apparatus comprising: 1,144,580 Bauer June 29, 1915 a mount secured to said watercraft; 1,763,838 Vernet June 17, 1930 a louver blade assembly mounted to said mount for 2,139,022 Johnson Dec. 6, 1938 pivotal movement adjac ent the underside of said FOREIGN PATENTS water craft and including a plurality of louver 239 4 Great Britain Sept 2 1925 blades and connecting means coupled thereto for 494,626 Italy y 1954 operating said louver blades in unison; 

1. WATERCRAFT PROPULSION APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED TO A WATERCRAFT AND COMPRISING: A LOUVER BLADE ASSEMBLY ADAPTED TO BE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ADJACENT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE WATERCRAFT AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LOUVER BLADES AND AN ELEMENT CONNECTED THERETO FOR OPERATING SAID LOUVER BLADES IN UNISON; AN OPERATING HANDLE COUPLED TO SAID ASSEMBLY AND OPERABLE TO PIVOT SAID ASSEMBLY BETWEEN AN EXTENDED POSITION AND A RETRACTED POSITION; AND MEANS COUPLED TO SAID HANDLE AND SAID ELEMENT AND OPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF SAID HANDLE TO POSITIVELY MOVE SAID LOUVER BLADES TO CLOSED POSITIONS FOR PROPELLING THE WATERCRAFT THROUGH THE WATER, AND OPERABLE DURING OPERATION OF SAID HANDLE TO POSITIVELY MOVE SAID LOUVER BLADES TO OPEN POSITIONS TO MINIMIZE WATER DRAG UPON SAID LOUVER BLADES. 